Electric fan



May 8, 1934. P. c611: 1,958,182

ELECTRIC FAN Filed June 27, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l ay 8, 1934. P. c6TE ELECTRIC FAN Filed June 27, 1932 3 Sheets-sheet 2 1 1g, 6 Zgia d l a a I 85 l 7 7 I 7 I 25 I ,10 I 52 87 1 WI 67 6- MM "D I All 80 i2 Inventor Attorneys May 8, 1934. 6 -5 1,958,182

ELECTRIC FAN Filed June 27, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g4? iii 7 Inventor Attorneys Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES FATENT @FFlCE ELECTRIC FAN Prosper cat-s, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric fan construction and has for its primary object the provision of a fan mechanism designed so as to permit adjustment of the revolving speed of the fan wheel, oscillatory movement of the fan through varying selected arcs of movement, and rotary operation of the fan and fan support.

A further object of the invention is the provision of mechanism for rotating the fan or for oscillating the same which will be driven through the medium of the fan-revolving motor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and efiicient mechanism for controlling the oscillation or rotary movement of the fan wheel.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an electric fan of the above type which will be efficient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a perspective view of the assembled fan construction,

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing the mecha nism adjusted to rotate the fan,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the mechanism adjusted to cause operation of the fan,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View through the fan housing showing the operating mechanism in side elevation,

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the housing showing the switch panel,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal central section through the fan structure showing the operating switch in a cut-off position,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the switch in a closed operating position,

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on 45 the line 88 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a similar view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view through the clutch mechanism,

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the controlling mechanism adjusted so that the fan may be revolved in a non-swinging position,

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view through the mechanism similarly adjusted,

Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same,

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of the mechanism shown adjusted to cause rotation of the fan wheel and shaft,

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 17 is a horizontal sectional view through the same,

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view through the same, and

Figure 19 is an enlarged detailed vertical section through the same.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral generally designates the base section of the fan supporting, on the top thereof, an adjustable section 26.

The base section 25 embodies an annular housing 28 secured on a base plate 29. Projecting upwardly from the housing 28 is a tapered standard 30 of hollow construction. In the front portion of the housing 28 is mounted a vertically disposed switch panel 31 formed of insulating material.

The upper adjustable fan section 26 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the standard 30 through the medium of a ball bearing structure 33 and embodies an elongated cylindrical motor housing 34. Within the motor housing 34 is disposed a fan-operating motor 35 having the drive shaft 36 extending horizontally through the shaft and having attached to its outwardly projecting ends a bladed fan wheel 37.

Extending vertically through the base section 25 and having its upper end projecting into the motor casing 34 is a transmission shaft 38, having a bevel gear 39 secured to its upper end meshing with a complementary bevel gear 40 secured to the motor drive shaft 36. The lower portion of the transmission shaft 38 extends through a frame 41 and is journaled in the bottom plate thereof. Adjacent the lower extremity, the shaft 38 carries a worm gear 42 which is mounted to constantly mesh with a worm wheel 43.

The worm wheel 43 is fastened to one end of a horizontal crank shaft 44 having fixed on the outer end thereof a disc crank 45. Upon the opposed end of the shaft 44 is secured a bevel gear 46 meshing with a complementary bevel gear 47 rotatably fitted upon a vertical stub shaft 48.

On the lower extremity of the stub shaft 48 is rotatably fitted a collar 49 having a crank 50 extending radially therefrom.

Keyed to the intermediate portion of the shaft 48 and mounted for vertical sliding movement thereon is a clutch sleeve 52 provided with an annular groove into which is fitted a bifurcated outer end portion of a clutch link 53.

The outer end of the link 53 is rigidly connected with an arm 54, the inner end of this arm being fastened to a horizontally extending pivot rod 55.

Keyed on the upper end of the shaft 48 and rotatable therewith is a horizontally disposed drive gear 57 in mesh with a pinion 58 attached to the lower end portion of a tubular drive shaft 59.

The tubular shaft 59 is disposed concentrically about the major portion of the transmission shaft 38, the upper extremity thereof being rigidly iastened to the motor casing 34. About the intermediate portion of the tubular shaft 59 is secured an insulating sleeve 60 having fitted exteriorly thereof a pair of spaced contact rings 61.

As shown to advantage in Figures 4 and 6, each of the rings 61 makes contact with a brush 62. Both of the brushes 62 are resiliently mounted in an insulating block 63 disposed in an aperture in the housing standard 30.

Slidably adjustable through an aperture arranged centrally in the panel 31 is a horizontal tubular plug 65 having a pin and slot engagement with a rotatable spindle 66. On the outer end of the plug 65 is secured a knob 67 for push or pull as well as rotatable adjustment thereof.

The outwardly projecting portion of the plug 65 carries thereon a rotatably adjustable speed control disc 68, preferably formed of insulating material and having attached to its inner face a diametrically extending contact bar 69. One end of the bar 69 is disposed to selectively engage slow, medium and high speed contact points 70, 71 and 72 arranged in arcuately spaced positions in the upper portion of the panel. The oppositely extending portion of the contact bar 69 is permanently in contact with an arcuate conducting plate '73. To the inner terminal of the contact '72 is connected a resilient U-shaped contact clip '74 projecting inwardly from the panel.

The terminals of the contacts 70, '71 and '72 are connected, through the medium of conductors '75 with resistance coils '76. To the terminal of the arcuate contact member '73 is connected a lead-in conductor '77 having connection with a socket or other source of electrical energy.

To the inner face of the switch panel is connected a spring contact strip, generally indicated at '79, bent to form a primary U-shaped contact and a secondary substantially V-shaped contact 81 projecting inwardly of the panel. To the terminal of the contact member '79 is connected one end of a conductor 82, the opposed end of this conductor being attached to the upper brush element 62.

The motor connections are efiected through the medium of a conductor 83 connecting the upper contact ring 61 with the motor field armature and through a complementary conductor 84 connecting the lower contact ring 61 with the motor brush. To the lower brush 62 is connected the inner end of a lead-in conductor 85.

About the inner portion of the plug 65 is secured an insulating collar 87, on the periphery of which is fixed a conducting ring 88. The ring 88 is mounted so that when the plug 65 is pulled to an extracted position it will simultaneously engage the primary contact 80 as well as the contact clip 74. When the plugis pressed in- 1 wardly the ring 88 will disengage the contact 80 and is normally disconnected from the secondary contact 61.

To the inner end of the spindle 66 is rigidly fastened a vertically disposed plate cam 90 having pivotally connected to one end thereof a V- shaped link 91. The opposed end of the link 91 is pivotally connected to the extremity of a horizontally slidable rod 92. The rod 92 is slidably supported in brackets 93 and carries a vertically depending pivot pin 94, the lower end of which travels in a slot in the base plate of the frame 41. To the intermediate portion of the slide rod 92 is also connected a laterally projecting trip pin 95.

Pivotally connected to the disc crank 45, adjacent the periphery thereof, is a crank rod 96, the outer extremity of which is pivotally associated with one end of an oscillating lever 97. The lever 97 is provided with an elongated slot through which is extended the pivot pin 94. The opposed end or the lever 97 and the outer extremity of the clutch crank 50 are connected through the medium of a link 98, clearly illustrated in Figures 13 and 17. Thus, when the pivot pin 94. is disposed in the extreme left end of the slot in the lever 97, as shown in Figure 13, the oscillatory movement imparted to the lever at the crank is practically ne ligible at the opposed extremity connected with the link 98 and no effective movement is imparted to the crank 50. When, however, the pin 94 is shifted to the right, as for instance, to the position shown in Figure 1"], increasing angular movement is imparted to the crank so as to cause oscillatory movement of the collar 49.

Rotatably connected with the spindle 66 inwardly of the plate cam 90 is asegmental plate 190, provided at its outer portion with a radially extending slot adapted to receive therein the inturned end portion of a resilient rod 101. The opposed end of the rod 101 is bent at an angle and is rigidly connected with the pivot rod 55. When the control plug 65 is rotated to its extreme counter-clockwise movement, one edge of the plate cam, having substantially the form of an involute curve, will engage the free end portion of the rod 101 causing this end of the rod together with the segment plate 109 to assume a depressed position which, through the instrumentality of the pivot rod 55 and the arm 4 will resiliently slide the clutch member 52 downwardly on the stub shaft. Simultaneously therewith, the plate cam will, through the instrumentality of the angular link 91, slide the rod 92 to its extreme path of movement toward the left of the frame. As the cam is rotated, the free end of the rod 101 will be initially elevated by its resilient construction and thereafter is raised to its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 15, by the opposed end of the cam. When adjusted to the latter position the rod 101 will pivotally adjust the pivot member 55 in the arm 54 so as to resiliently urge the clutch sleeve 52 to an elevated position in contact with the bevel gear 47. In order to obviate accidental or premature elevation of the clutch member means are provided for locking the clutch adjusting mechanism in a clutch depressing arrangement, such means including an extension arm 163 secured to and extending longitudinally from the pivot rod 55 disposed so that its free end is normally engaged by a hook member 104. The upstanding hook 104 is formed on the rear end of a transversely extending rocker bar 105, having formed, at its forward end, an upstanding arouately bent lever 106.

When the plate cam 90 is rotated to its extreme clockwise position, the extension of the link 91 therethrough will engage and swing the lever 106 outwardly, causing corresponding movement of the hook 104 wherein the free end of the extension arm 103 is liberated so that the clutch adjusting mechanism may be elevated for complete upward movement of the clutch. Spring means are associated with the rocker bar 105 for restoring the hook to its inward locking arrangement when the lever 106 is disengaged from the tripping projection on the plate cam.

In order to releasably secure the segment plate 100 in its extreme elevated position, that is, when the control plug is rotated to its extreme clockwise position, an elongated stop plate 108 is pivotally mounted on the upper plate of the frame and carries, in a bracket formed on the outer edge thereof, a substantially U-shaped piece embodying a relatively long arm 109 having the outer portion disposed below the gear 57 and a relatively short curved arm 110. The arms 109 and 110 are normally urged to downwardly depressed positions on the top plate of the frame through the medium of a spring 111 so that the longer arm will normally assume a position below the path of rotary movement of a pin 112 attached to the gear 57 and depending therefrom.

The plate 108 together with the wire piece attached thereto is normally urged to an outwardly projected position by means of a spring arranged about its pivot connection.

During elevation of the segment plate 100, it contacts with and pivotally swings the plate 108 inwardly until the segment plate assumes a position above the stop member, where it is arrested by the resilient outward projection of the stop plate. When it is desired to lower the segment plate and the rod 101 attached thereto, the plug 65 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to effect, through the instrumentality of the link 91, sliding movement of the rod 92 to the left of the frame until the laterally projecting pin 95 engages the depending lug of a pivoted lever 114. The engagement of the pin 95 with the lug will cause elevation of the lever 114 and cause an upstanding finger formed thereon, indicated at 115, to engage and elevate the arm 110 and simultaneously elevate the complementary arm 109 attached to the same piece. During rotation of the gear 5'7, the pin 112 attached thereto will contact with the arm 109 so as to swing the arm together with the plate 108, to which it is connected, suficiently to clear the segment member 100 and enable further counter-clockwise rotation of the control plug.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 10, the clutch sleeve 52 keyed to the vertical stub shaft 48 carries, at its lower end, a depending pin 116 engageable with a receiving opening in the top face of the collar 49. A similar pin 117 projects from the upper end of the clutch for engagement with a recess in the lower face of the bevel gear 47.

In order to operate the fan, it is initially necessary to engage the knob 6'7 and pull the plug 65 attached thereto outwardly thereby closing the circuit switch by contacting the ring 88 with the clip contact 74 and the resilient contact 80. By rotary adjustment of the disc 68, the contact attached thereto may be selectively adjusted for connection with the low, intermediate or high speed contact terminals for selective revoluble operation of the fan 37.

To cause oscillatory movement of the upper fan support section 26 the knob 6'7 is rotated in a clockwise direction to a position corresponding to the particular oscillatory movement desired, the arc of oscillation being varied by the rotary movement of the button through adjustment of the rod 92 and pivot pin 94, which governs the oscillating movement of the lever 9'7 and the section oscillating mechanism.

To cause the fan-carrying section 26 to rotate, the knob 67, with the plug 65 in extended arrangement, is rotated to its full clockwise position causing elevation of the clutch sleeve 62 and rotary operation of the drive gear 57 and the tubular shaft 59 rigidly connected with the movable section.

To disconnect the electric circuit and thereby discontinue operation of the fan, the plug 65 is pressed inwardly causing the contact ring 88 to disengage the resilient contact and, while still in engagement with the clip contact 74 to make a secondary closing connection through the con tact member 81. Therefore, initial inward movement of the plug 65 may not immediately open the circuit. In any event, the circuit will be opened automatically thereafter through the medium of a bent wire switch adjusting bracket 119 having the intermediate portion pivotally connected with the base plate 29 and one end pivotally associated with the V-shaped secondary contact 81. Thus, when the crank mechanism reaches a predetermined position, it will engage one extension of the member 119 and cause the same to be tilted forwardly, whereby the contact 81 will be depressed and disconnected from the ring 88 and cause opening of the electric circuit.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a fan of the character described, a base section, a rotary fan support section, a motor adapted to revolve a motor shaft, a fan attached to the motor shaft, a transmission shaft driven by the motor shaft, an auxiliary shaft driven through the medium of the transmission shaft, oscillating mechanism having connection with the said auxiliary shaft, an actuating shaft having one end rigidly secured to the rotary support section, gearing operable to rotatably drive the actuating shaft, clutch means operable to selectively oscillate and rotate the rotary section, and throw-adjusting mechanism comprising a rotary plug, a pivoted beam lever oscillated by said plug to cause the rotary section to be oscillated in variant selected arcs, a sliding rod, a pivot rod secured to said sliding rod and acting as the pivot for the beam lever, and manually adjustable means adapted to shift the pivot rod in a slot of the beam so as to cause displacement of the beam fulcrum point.

PROSPER COTE. 

